As previously noted on the ImmigrationProf blog, the biggest American immigration news in 2013 by far was Congress’s failure -- once again -- to enact comprehensive immigration reform. This congressional failure is also the biggest immigration disappointment of 2013. It no doubt is especially disappointing to the approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants who will continue to live in a shadowy limbo in the recesses of American social life, and the many DREAMers who are part of the nation's future but are told time and once again that they must wait for their time to come.

Early in the year, prospects for successful passage of immigration reform initially were promising. In June, the U.S. Senate by a 2-1 margin passed an immigration reform bill. High hopes were dashed when the House under the "leadership" of Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), who is open to being contacted on his website, never took up the bill. This failure came after months of political agitation for Congress to act on a reform proposal and led to a number of protests, including a fast by immigration leaders on the National Mall. Moreover, an undocumented “heckler” grabbed national attention by asking President Obama at a press conference if he would place a moratorium on deportations.